Senators Article: Starting over with the B-Sens; Newcomer Stephens hopes trade turns into a positive
January 25, 2004

Posted by: Bob "Vinnie Bobarino" Howard
Credit: Press Connects.com

Starting over with the B-Sens

Newcomer Stephens hopes trade turns into a positive

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- Charlie Stephens was sleeping Friday when he was traded, which is appropriate since the Ottawa Senators -- and their minor-league club in Binghamton -- hope the deal wakes him up.

But Stephens, who scored an empty-net goal in Saturday night's 3-1 victory over Rochester, has struggled through a bizarre season. He's reached the pinnacle of the sport with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and been sent to the depths of pro hockey, the United Hockey League, before being dealt to the Senators for disgruntled enforcer Dennis Bonvie.

"When I got the call, I was kind of neutral about how I felt because I still have lots of friends in (the Colorado) organization," Stephens said Saturday morning after his first practice with the Senators. "But mentally, I wasn't as focused as I should've been. I'm looking at this as a positive thing."

And why shouldn't he? Stephens is only 22, a second-year pro, and has virtually his entire career still ahead of him.

He scored 16 goals through the first 54 games for Hershey last season but only one in the last 20 after a March 5 incident in which he and his brother were arrested and charged with assaulting a man in a late-night fight outside a Wal-Mart in Harrisburg, Pa.

Stephens fell out of favor in Hershey in November after a nine-game streak in which he didn't net a point and was exiled to the UHL. He returned to Hershey in late December and had one goal and four assists in seven games before the trade.

"It wasn't so much that we didn't want Charlie," Hershey coach Paul Fixter told the York Daily Record. "Ottawa/Binghamton was quite interested in him. He's struggled at times this year, but you never know when he can break out."

Said Stephens: "I'm looking at it like it's a 37-game season now. It's a fresh start, a clean slate."

STAYING IN OTTAWA

Antoine Vermette's minor-league days are behind him.

Vermette, who led AHL rookies with 34 goals last season, was told last week to start shopping for permanent housing in Ottawa, a sign that he'll be staying in the NHL for the foreseeable future. He had been living in a hotel close to the Corel Centre.

"That's nice because it means I'm going to be here," said Vermette, whose four goals, four assists and plus-3 rating in 35 NHL games have earned him a regular spot in Ottawa's lineup.

Vermette has been plagued by a shoulder injury, and another homegrown winger, Josh Langfeld, has filled in ably with four goals in Ottawa's last nine games.

The Senators are looking to trade underachieving winger Petr Schastlivy, a move that might open a permanent spot for Langfeld.

SLAP SHOTS

Concussions are nothing to trifle with, so center Serge Payer, who suffered a mild one in practice Thursday when he collided with defenseman Steve Bancroft, missed his second straight game. Payer said he's hoping to play Wednesday night in Rochester. ...

Early returns are Bonvie will be a fan favorite in Hershey. In less than 24 hours after trading for Bonvie, the Bears sold 1,500 tickets for Saturday night's game with Philadelphia. ...

A pregame moment of silence was observed for longtime off-ice official Steve Klinsky, who died this past week.